“Well, sir! as I have the most perfect confidence in you, from all I have heard of you, I trust you will not think me abrupt in saying that any longer delay here is dangerous.”
“Dangerous! Is he in so critical a state as that then?”
“Critical a state, sir! Why what do you mean?”
“I mean, ma’am, do you think, then, it must be done to-day?”
“Of course I do, sir, and I shall never leave the spot without your assuring me of it.”
“Oh! in that case make your mind easy. I have the instruments in the chaise.”
“The instruments in the chaise! Really, sir, if you are not jesting—I trust you don’t think this is a fitting time for such—I entreat of you to speak more plainly and intelligibly.”
“Jesting, ma’am! I’m incapable of jesting at such a moment.”
“Ma’am! ma’am! I see one of the rangers, ma’am, at a distance; so don’t lose a moment, but get into the chaise at once.”
“Well, sir, let us away; for I have now gone too far to retract.”